Very Dental: Turf Battles and Surgery on Awake People with Dr. Abe Hoellrich
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode Alan sits down with Dr. Abe Hoellrich in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the Voices of Dentistry conference! Abe’s practice focuses on sedation dentistry in Columbus, Ohio. He offers an insider’s perspective on the "turf battles" surrounding anesthesia privileges, weighing the tensions between general dentists, oral surgeons, and medical doctors. The discussion highlights the nuances of patient safety versus access to care, with Abe arguing for the superior safety of reversible IV sedation compared to oral methods and emphasizing the need for stringent training to preserve the...
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Very Clinical: OG Dental Social Media
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode of the Very Clinical podcast, Zach and Kevin explore the evolution of social media within the dental profession, tracing the landscape from the early days of message boards like Dentaltown to the current era of Facebook groups, Reddit, and X. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences as digital observers and participants, discussing the culture of online communities—ranging from the valuable exchange of clinical tips to the unfortunate prevalence of "dunking" and trolling. They wrap up the conversation by sharing their favorite positive resources for dental content,...
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Very Dental: The Crazy Way to Lower Your Overhead with Jay Glazer
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Recorded live from VoD 2026 in Gilbert, Arizona Alan is joined by Jay Glazer from Crazy Dental to tackle the rising costs of running a dental practice. Together, they dismantle the outdated model of relying on sales reps and "special" pricing lists, advocating instead for the transparency and efficiency of online ordering. Jay shares his philosophy on overhead control using the "14-dollar milkshake" analogy, illustrating how small savings on supplies can compound into massive wealth over time. Tune in to learn how to ditch the donuts, stop overpaying for the same products, and utilize...
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Very Dental Classics: Live from VoD...The Dental Hacks Reunion!
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback episode was originally recorded live from the main stage at Voices of Dentistry 2022 where the original Dental Hacks—Dr. Alan Mead and Dr. Jason Lipscomb—reunite for a hilarious and nostalgic session. The duo kicks things off by catching up on life since their "breakup" and going head-to-head in a competition to determine who has endured the worst patient horror story of the pandemic era. Later in the show, the classic Brain Trust format returns as Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Justin Moody join the stage for a round of "Ask Us Anything." The panel covers a wide range of topics,...
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Very Dental Classics: Is Zirconia Too Strong? Protocols for Posterior Restorations with Dr. Mike DiTolla
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this classic episode Dr. Mike DiTolla returns to the show to break down the clinical realities of working with zirconia. After sharing a humorous and humbling story about his recent shoulder surgery and the universality of missed nerve blocks, Mike shifts focus to the material science of modern dentistry. He details the specific use cases for full-strength versus translucent zirconia, explains why he treats cement margins like narrow Class V restorations, and offers precise protocols for adjusting and polishing without damaging the ceramic. From the "Lipscomb Scale" of removal difficulty to...
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Very Dental Classics: Sugar, Science and Dr. Rella Christensen
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the history of independent product evaluation, the challenges of maintaining objectivity in dental research, and significant findings regarding restorative materials and caries management. The original interview had really poor sound quality but a little help from an Adobe AI filter really cleared it up. This interview was worth another listen, I think! Key Interview Highlights 1. The Origins and Ethics of TRAC Research History: The organization...
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Very Clinical: New Year, New Gear with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott
The Very Dental Podcast Network
It’s New Year’s Eve Eve! Zach and Kevin return to close out the year with returning guests Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott. In this final episode of 2025, the crew trades stories about their most memorable (and traumatic) New Year’s Eve experiences—including a high school snowball fight that went terribly wrong and an intense dental school dodgeball tournament. Later, the conversation shifts from parties to protocols as the group discusses the major clinical and business changes they implemented in their practices this year. From AI integration and staffing shake-ups to battles...
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AME: Hitting Pause and Rewind in 2026
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this candid episode, Alan announces he is taking a hiatus from recording new content for the Very Dental Podcast Network. Feeling momentarily "tapped out" after nearly 12 years of podcasting, Alan reflects on the evolution of the medium and his desire to avoid becoming repetitive. Starting in January, the show will move to a weekly Friday release schedule featuring remastered "Greatest Hits" episodes, beginning with a classic 2015 interview with Dr. Rella Christensen. While he plans to step back from the microphone for a bit, he will continue to produce episodes for hosts Kevin and Zach and...
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Very Dental: Facially Generated Success, a conversation with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback Dental Hacks episode, I am joined by Dr. Jason Lipscomb to welcome two absolute legends in dental education: Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer. This interview was originally released back in 2018 and it marked the first time Jason, Frank, and Gregg sat down together on the podcast, delivering a conversation packed with history, philosophy, and actionable practice management advice. The conversation traces the evolution of dental continuing education, moving from Frank’s early days of disjointed lectures to the structured, curriculum-based approach of the Spear Center...
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A Very Clinical Christmas with Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Join hosts Zach and Kevin for the annual Very Clinical holiday wrap-up! This week, they welcome back the recurring year-end duo, Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw. It is officially a tradition as Erin and Gary join the guys to break down how they are spending the holidays and what has changed in their lives over the last twelve months. In this festive episode, the group shares their unique Christmas traditions, ranging from Icelandic rice pudding games to seafood feasts and tongue-in-cheek "virgin sacrifices." Beyond the holiday cheer, they dive into significant life updates. Kevin...
info_outlineKevin and Zach spend way too much time talking about their favorite reruns on TV
Kevin likes The Office
Zach likes Curb Your Enthusiasm
We give Crazy Dental a shout out…. Check them out!
Then we actually talk about redoing your dentistry
First class 2 fillings
Then crowns
Then root canals
Then dentures (ugh)
Then night guards and sleep appliances
Then we talk about the dirty secret of orthodontics
Then implant complications
Go to the Very Clinical Facebook group and join!
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